Next-generation protein-based materials capture and preserve projectiles from supersonic impacts.
Nat Nanotechnol
; 18(9): 1060-1066, 2023 09.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37400719
ABSTRACT
Extreme energy-dissipating materials are essential for a range of applications. The military and police force require ballistic armour to ensure the safety of their personnel, while the aerospace industry requires materials that enable the capture, preservation and study of hypervelocity projectiles. However, current industry standards display at least one inherent limitation, such as weight, breathability, stiffness, durability and failure to preserve captured projectiles. To resolve these limitations, we have turned to nature, using proteins that have evolved over millennia to enable effective energy dissipation. Specifically, a recombinant form of the mechanosensitive protein talin was incorporated into a monomeric unit and crosslinked, resulting in a talin shock-absorbing material (TSAM). When subjected to 1.5 km s-1 supersonic shots, TSAMs were shown to absorb the impact and capture and preserve the projectile.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Som
/
Talina
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Nanotechnol
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido